Orrin Woodward

Former Guinness World Record Holder for largest book signing ever, Orrin Woodward is a NY Times bestselling author of And Justice For All along with RESOLVED & coauthor of LeaderShift and Launching a Leadership Revolution. His books have sold over one million copies in the financial, leadership and liberty fields. RESOLVED: 13 Resolutions For LIFE made the Top 100 All-Time Best Leadership Books and the 13 Resolutions are the framework for the top selling Mental Fitness Challenge personal development program.

Orrin made the Top 20 Inc. Magazine Leadership list & has co-founded two multi-million dollar leadership companies. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Board of the LIFE. He has a B.S. degree from GMI-EMI (now Kettering University) in manufacturing systems engineering. He holds four U.S. patents, and won an exclusive National Technical Benchmarking Award.

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How Limiting Beliefs Paralyze Your Growth

Posted by Orrin Woodward on August 20, 2014

Life is interesting. On one hand people say they want better results in life, but on the other, they seem paralyzed to perform the actions they know need to be done to improve. Why is this? Well, after 21 years of leading communities and studying human behavior, I have concluded that until a person changes his limiting belief, he will not change his inactivity.

I know. I know. You are probably thinking: but Orrin, how do you change beliefs? Great question. In fact, this is the topic of one of this months (August) LIFE Leadership LLR talks. In effect, one must learn to stand outside yourself and honestly look into why you are not doing what it takes to accomplish what you said you wanted. Psychologist call this cognitive dissonance. And, nearly every time, there is a belief system in conflict with the stated goal. If this isn’t addressed and replaced with a better belief system, nothing of significance will change.

For instance, one of the common limiting beliefs for many people is the thought that they have no control over life’s outcomes. So long as someone believe they have no control over the results in his/her life, why would they even try? While it is true that we do not control or influence everything that happens to us (to name just two – natural disasters or health challenges), most people view every area of life like it is random or a game of chance. In sum, whatever will be will be.

In contrast, a better view of life would be to see it as an exciting rapid-filled river that has never been traversed before. True, we have no knowledge or control over the river’s direction, drops, and dangers, but, thankfully, we are issued a kayak (vehicle), paddle (tool) and mind (thinking). The mind can learn to use the paddle to steer the kayak through life. In fact, this is the goal of LIFE Leadership – to teach people the proper strategies (wisdom) to navigate the rivers of life by utilizing the paddle in the current to propel us in the direction of our dreams.

If someone believes they have no control over the direction life’s river takes them, they, unfortunately, won’t even attempt to use their paddle. Thus, their limiting belief becomes their reality as the kayak bounces hopelessly off the canyon walls and eventually capsizes in the roughest rapids. Limiting beliefs paralyze a person into inaction. In this example, he/she focuses upon what is not within his/her control rather than upon what is.

The professional kayakers, however, respond differently. They have learned to navigate the rapids even when they have never been on a particular river before. How you ask? Because they have learned to apply river wisdom to recognize repeatable patterns present within rapids everywhere. In a similar way, wisdom supplies leaders with the ability to recognize repeatable patterns within life and apply the proper principle at the right time to navigate successfully.

Seek wisdom and everything else will be added unto you. What are you waiting for? Aren’t you tired of having life happen to you rather than making life happen? Laurie and I certainly were. We discovered Biblical principles applied to our lives and our business made all the difference. Perhaps its time replace your limiting beliefs with the truth so you can live the life you’ve always wanted.

23 Responses to “How Limiting Beliefs Paralyze Your Growth”

Chad Waterssaid

Stacey Arroyosaid

This is one of my favorite CD’s. I can identify with it maybe too well. It’s so encouraging to know that I have the power to change and improve. For now,it will be part of my daily listening. Thank you Orrin and Laurie!

Krista Debussaid

Nancy Monsipapasaid

This is one of your best written/talks given EVER! I pray that everyone I know will read this and consider/re consider the path they are on, and press on and change to achieve all they were meant to on this journey called life.

Thank you for all you do!
Rick & Nancy Monsipapa

Dave Mitchellsaid

This is a great subject to revisit! Its to easy to go back into old habits, and without realizing it. How easy is it to have subliminal beliefs control how we interact with not only ourselves, but others, and without knowing it.
Greg Johnson quite a few years ago did a talk on this very subject. I cannot tell you the countless times I played the cd then as well as presently! And then who could forget Chris brady’s talk on Ob-Stok-Leez!!!!
Some may not see how obstacles fit into that. Butyour obstacles are also subliminal beliefs that hold one back from good to great.

Hi Orrin.
What a great post. Being a kayaker, those words connected with me in a strong way. Such a great analogy. I have let myself drift along the current in my kayak enjoying the sun and sometimes the current can take you to dangerous places if you don’t pay close attention to where you are going. (Life without goals lead by others) and other times you can end up stuck on a rock or just drift on a bank and stop moving forward. (Living in your comfort zone and wondering why you are not getting anywhere)

Elizabeth Sierackisaid

I just had this conversation with my husband. You see so much potential in people and want to help them so bad. Thanks for explaining the background of their why. As we work with these individuals I know this information will be helpful for us and them.

Steve Meixnersaid

Thanks Orrin for the Reminder. So many times I hear People say “that’s just the way I am” You cannot change if That’s your Attitude. Reading, Listening and Associating has Proven to me that I Can Change. I have a long way to go but now I know that I can do Anything as long as I’m willing to CHANGE my limiting Beliefs!!
Steve

Jonkniselysaid

Very good talk Orrin. It’s Awesome knowing that we get to learn every month, something else that we desperately need to move forward in our own leadership journey. Thanks again and keep it coming.
Jon Knisely
#lifeleadership

Chris Mikeskasaid

Thank you for sharing Orrin. Not everyone will decide to take hold of the paddle, and some might have to frantically search for it in the rapids. Great leaders gracefully come along side you without being forceful or judgmental. They are patient with some of us that aren’t quite as mentaly equipped yet.

This makes me want to pop in this months LLR right away! Thanks again Orrin!

Great article and talk, Orrin! This is something I personally have struggled with and with the help of LIFE Leadership, I have been able to drastically change my lens and dust off my buried paddle. Limited belief is such an important topic–thank you for your time spent addressing it.

Orrin Woodwardsaid

Jason Millersaid

Orrin, this topic is one that is close to my heart as in my personal relationships I could not see what I was doing wrong until I “stepped outside” and saw what others were looking at. Now I am a Gulf Wat vet with extreme PTSD and that was esacerbated by being bipolar… I make no excuses but through therapy, medication and Life Leadership I have found it is not too late to space yourself and repair damaged relationships. A unique theory may be of interest to you. It is called ” turning point” theory…much like it is stated in many of the L.L book staying the same is harder that making a change…paraphrased of course. The theory did happen to be proven in my life as I reached an event so catastrophic that made me reach that decision to change or “turn”. I believe this to be a topic that may be explored and communicated to the masses in Seminars, CDs and in books by you and the L.L. organization…In short, thank you the information was my turning point to recovery! J.C Millet